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Extreme E confirms multi-year broadcast extension with FOX Sports

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Official Release
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5 January 2023, London: Extreme E has today announced that FOX Sports, the number-one leader in live sports entertainment, has signed a multi-year extension deal with the ground-breaking electric SUV off-road racing series.

The Championship will continue to be screened live across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean on FS1, FS2, FOX Sports Racing and FOX Sports digital platforms in 2023 and 2024.

In just two seasons of racing Extreme E already revolutionised motorsport and entertainment. The series sees E-SUVs racing head-to-head in some of the world’s most remote and extreme environments that have been damaged by climate change, whilst raising awareness and inspiring action.

Ali Russell, Chief Marketing Officer at Extreme E, said: “We’re proud and delighted to announce the extension of this broadcasting agreement between FOX Sports and Extreme E for 2023 and 2024.

“The deal signifies a major commitment by a sports broadcasting powerhouse, further underlining the ever increasing popularity of our championship’s thrilling on track spectacle as well as the human stories behind the racing.

“The extension ensures that millions of viewers across North America and the Caribbean will receive the in the live coverage of Extreme E as we move into our third season and beyond.”

Frank Wilson, FOX Sports VP Production, said: “It’s great to extend our relationship with Extreme E.

“An innovative series with an impactful mission, Extreme E delivers not only competitive racing across a wide variety of courses, but also drives conversation across broader topics impacting communities around the world.”

Season 3 of Extreme E’s global racing voyage kicks off in Saudi Arabia on 11-12 March 2023.

To learn more about Extreme E, visit – www.Extreme-E.com

MOVING FORWARD IS THE STORY OF BRADEN CHIARAMONTE’S TULSA SHOOTOUT

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Official Release
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Braden Chiaramonte in the Non-Wing Outlaw Class at the Tulsa Shootout

(El Cajon, CA, January 4, 2022) The story of Braden Chiaramonte’s second-ever appearance at the “Tulsa Shootout” in the massive SageNet Center was “Moving Forward.” Driving the Hyper house car in the Winged A Class and Stock Non-Wing categories and the family-owned #73B in the Outlaw Winged and Non-Wing classes, he started 11 races at the shootout. The popular teen finished better than the position he started in six times. He placed in the same position as he started twice. All told for the popular event, he advanced a total of 15 positions while only losing six spots.

The 38th running of the “Shootout” drew a massive 1,722 entries. Those drivers contested 358 races and 3,410 green flag laps. Needless to say, the competition was extremely tough and at times, very aggressive. While some drivers raced cleanly, others at times, were ruthless and raced anything but clean. Chiaramonte stuck with his form and was one of the drivers who kept it honest.

The El Cajon, California-based racer kicked things off on Tuesday, December 27th in the Winged Outlaw heat race. Starting on the Outside of the front row, the rising star battled hard and took the lead on the 3rd circuit. Once securing the point he moved away over the final five laps and captured the victory a full straightaway ahead of his closest pursuer. Soon after the impressive outing was completed, Chiaramonte was stopped for an interview that was seen and heard by thousands across the world on the Flo Racing Network. The interview is available at the following Facebook link https://www.facebook.com/cody.quarles.3/videos/688509236102127.

On the second night of action in Tulsa, Chiaramonte was competing in 8-lap heat races in the Non-Wing Outlaw class and the Winged A-Class. In the Winged Outlaws, the 15-year-old came from 10th on the start and raced all the way up to fourth by the time the checkered flag fell. Likewise, he did move forward in the Winged-A class. Starting sixth in that race, he advanced one position forward to finish fifth.

On Thursday the 29th, Chiaramonte, who excelled at every level he competed in during the 2022 season, contested his Stock Non-Wing heat race. As had been the case the prior two nights, he once again moved forward in his white #73B. After starting sixth he passed three other cars and placed third.

Friday, December, 30th, was qualifier night for the three classes Chiaramonte was competing in. The teen driver started in the Winged Outlaw class. He was second on the start and stayed in the runner-up spot for the first six laps. In the end, he did slip back to fifth. It was one of only three times all week that he finished farther back than he started and it was the only time he placed farther back than one position from where he started.

Chiaramonte contested two other races on the qualifier night. He started and placed sixth in the Non-Wing Outlaws. In the Stock Non-Wing class, he began in ninth and finished in the same position.

At the finale on Saturday, Chiaramonte started fourth in the 12-lap Winged-Outlaw B Main and finished fifth. In the Non-Wing Outlaws B main, the teen started fifth and raced his way up to second. That placed him in the Last Chance Qualifier where he started 13th. On the first circuit, a three-car tangle just in front of Chiaramonte took place on the back chute. With no time to get out of harm’s way, he took evasive action but was tagged by one of the cars. While he was able to continue, he could not advance forward in his wounded car and finished in 14th.

The other class he competed in on the Final night was the Stock Non-Wing. In his B main, he started in the seventh position and finished in sixth.

Chiaramonte is headed right back to Tulsa where he will contest next week’s Chili Bowl Midget Nationals on the same SageNet Center track.

As the full 2023 season is just around the corner, Chiaramonte and his team are making plans for a busy year. If you are interested in becoming a marketing partner with one of the most talented and personable young drivers in the sport, please feel free to call or e-mail Daniel Chiaramonte mailto:dchiaramonte@rtltraffic.com or (619) 988 7563.

Chiaramonte would like to thank the following marketing partners for making his 2022 racing season possible. RTL Traffic Control and Equipment Rentals, AM Ortega, Impact Racing, and AIM Sports Data.

Braden Chiaramonte 2022 Results

January 1 Tulsa Shootout Stock Non Wings 9th A Main

March 5 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main

March 6 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 8th A Main

March 25 Bakersfield Speedway California Lightning Sprints 6th A Main

April 16 Bakersfield Speedway USAC Western States Midgets 9th A Main

April 23 Imperial Valley Raceway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 1st A Main

April 30 Barona Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprints 2nd A Main

May 12 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 13th A Main

May 13 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 16th A Main

May 14 US 24 Raceway All In Transportation A Wingless Clash 5th L.C.Q.

May 21 Ventura Raceway USAC Western State Midgets 7th A Main

June 2 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 12th A Main

June 3 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 14th A Main

June 4 US 24 Raceway Performance Electronics Big Dance 8th Qualifier

June 11 Lemoore Jet Bowl Non-Wing Outlaw Micro 4th A Main

June 18 Merced Speedway USAC Western Midgets 10th A Main

July 15 Jefferson County Speedway USAC National Midgets 18th A Main

July 16 Jefferson County Speedway USAC National Midgets 16th A Main

August 4 Indianapolis Motor Speedway USAC National Midgets 5th D Main

August 26 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Sprint Cars 18th A Main

August 27 Placerville Speedway Winged 360 Sprint Cars 12th B Main

September 17 Perris Auto Speedway POWRi Southwest Lightning Sprint 1st A Main

September 23 Lil Texas Motor Speedway C. Bell’s Micro Mania 8th C Main

September 24 Lil Texas Motor Speedway C. Bell’s Micro Mania 22nd B Main

September 30 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Fall Nationals 7th D Main

October 1 Silver Dollar Speedway Winged 360 Fall Nationals 8th A Main

October 13 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Cal Cup 7th B Main

October 13 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw Cal Cup 14th A Main

October 14 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Cal Cup 16th A Main

October 14 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw Cal Cup 16th B Main

October 15 Lemoore Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Cal Cup 9th A Main

October 15 Lemoore Speedway Winged Outlaw Cal Cup 7th B Main

October 21 Port City Raceway Keith Kunz Motorsports Giveback 8th A Main

October 22 Port City Raceway Keith Kunz Motorsports Giveback 15th A Main

November 11 Adobe Mountain Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Tribute to Billy Shuman 2nd A Main

November 12 Adobe Mountain Speedway Non-Wing Outlaw Tribute to Billy Shuman 17th A Main

December 31 Tulsa Shootout Stock Non-Wing 7th B Main

December 31 Tulsa Shootout Outlaw Non-Wing 14th LCQ

December 31 Tulsa Shootout Outlaw-Winged 5th B Main

Cadillac Racing: Team managers Zoom transcript

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Official Release
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DETROIT (Jan. 4, 2023) — Cadillac Racing enters a new era of prototype sports car racing with the competition debut of the Cadillac V-LMDh in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Three Cadillac V-LMDh race cars will attempt to secure the pole Jan. 22 for the 61st edition of the race on Jan. 28-29.

Action Express team manager Gary Nelson and Chip Ganassi Racing director of operations Mike O’Gara participated in a Zoom media conference hosted by IMSA with the other team leaders to preview the season.

Transcript of Nelson and O’Gara sections of the Q&A:

WHAT HAS THE UNDERTAKING BEEN LIKE FOR THE TEAM TO LAUNCH THIS PROGRAM AND HOW HAS IT COMPARED TO PREVIOUS LAUNCHES?

Mike O’Gara: “It’s been a huge undertaking and most of the folks on this call have been living in the same world that we have for the last six to 12 months with ramping up this program. In the 30-year history of Chip Ganassi Racing, we’ve been fortunate to be part of a lot of different vehicle launches, whether that’s been for INDYCAR, Indy Racing League or Champ Car or the Ford GT program. This one is by far the most intense, the most complex and, honestly, the most exciting for the company. I think the timelines we’ve been holding to have been difficult with supply chain issues, trying to put adequate miles on the cars to be ready and the level of complexity of the cars with the hybrid system and the other control systems. It’s just more than we’ve ever undertaken before. An added complexity is going to race this car in two different series on two different continents. We have one eye on getting our WEC program up and running, getting a facility over there, appropriate personnel and equipment as well. That adds another layer of complexity, but everyone at Chip Ganassi Racing is excited and looking forward to representing Cadillac around the world. It’s a great time of us.”

YOU’VE HAD A LOT OF EXPERIENCES WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT RACE CARS. HOW DOES THAT PLAY INTO THIS NEW CAR?

Gary Nelson: “This new car, to me, is such a great challenge. My whole career in racing I’ve always wanted the trophy that’s hardest to get. They are always harder when you don’t have a logbook or set-up book or all the other things ready to go when you get to the track. We’re going to create pretty much from a blank sheet of paper a program that we’re expecting to win the Daytona 24 hours. We know everybody has all the same challenges and issues, and I think it’s the most pumped up I’ve been for many years to try to get all these little things all to line up and get that car to go 24 hours and be at the front at the end. That’s going to be one of the biggest challenges. The hybrid, the different rules, the new car, the way of doing the pit stops, everything is much easier when you go to a 24-hour race and you’ve got some muscle memory from other races in the past. Here, it’s all new and I’m looking forward to getting a shot at that trophy.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE KEYS TO GETTING TO THE FINISH?

Gary Nelson: “Probably, the reliability of all of the new components. We have a lot more things that go by wire now. Where we used to have manual shift, we went to shift by wire and paddle shift and then we went to throttle by wire. And multiply that by four or five other different components on the car that are now going through a computer. So, probably electronics will be the focus on trying to make sure all of those computers do what they’re supposed to do.”

Mike O’Gara: “My first prototype race was in 2004. Back then in the earlier days of Grand Am it was who could recover from a mistake or failure quickest, and the cars evolved to a point where they were pretty reliable. So, then, it was who could go the fastest for 24 hours without making a mistake. I feel like we’re coming back full circle from the early days of Grand Am. It’s who’s going to be reliable, and if you’re not reliable who can recover from some issue the quickest. We’ve all puta lot of miles on these cars, but until you race them in anger and start banging wheels you’re not going to see all the issues. It’s going to be not only survival of the fittest but who can recover from any issues the quickest.”

WHEN WILL WE SEE A REPRESENTATIVE UNDERSTANDING OF PACE?

Mike O’Gara: “To get the handling dialed in and the tire durability we’re never just putting around. I think qualifying is the first time you’ll see 10-10ths out of everyone.”

WITH A ONE-TEAM APPROACH UNDER THE CADILLAC RACING BANNER, HOW HAS THAT BROUGHT THE TWO TEAMS TOGETHER?

Gary Nelson: “It’s been a pleasure working with Mike and his group. I think we’ve advanced the technology a lot quicker because with each test we’ve done one group would test one series of items and the other another set. We were organized on who was doing what and we would get together at the end of each day – or sometimes part way through the day – and say, ‘We were having a little trouble with this part. You might want to check it on your car’ or ‘We just learned this change made a big difference. You might want to try it on your car.’ We’ve had that back and forth discussion and I welcome it very much.”

Mike O’Gara: “It’s definitely been a learning experience for both teams and, quite honestly, a bit of a culture shift for Chip Ganassi Racing. We always pride ourselves on how we communicate internally. At the Indy 500 last year we have five race cars that were all capable of running at the front, so sharing info is what we do. But we haven’t often shared info outside of this building. But I think it’s gone amazingly well so far, sharing info with not just Action Express but with our GM Powertrain partners, with Dallara, with Michelin. It takes a village, and so far I think the partnership with AXR has gone really well. We’re figuring out who is better at what things and we divide and conquer. Hopefully, that will show in a couple of weeks.”

HOW DOES THAT WORK INTO RACE WEEKENDS? ARE YOU GOING TO BE SHARING SIMILAR LEVELS OF INFORMATION OR ON YOUR OWN?

Mike O’Gara: “I think a big part of winning this race is reliability, so we’re going to be huddling up constantly. Especially with car issues and things like that. We work closely with Dallara on set-up stuff, so the cars will all be mechanically identical and then we’ll go race on Saturday and Sunday to see out of all of us who can get it done.”

Gary Nelson: “We have such common connections with the GM Powertrain folks, the Bosch folks, the Williams folks, the Dallara folks. If we learn something we want to make sure that the other Cadillacs know it and if they learn something they pass it to us because at the end we want a Cadillac to win the Daytona 24. I’d like it to be our Cadillac, but we still want a Cadillac to be in the winner’s circle.”

WHAT HAVE YOU HAD TO ADD IN EQUIPMENT, PERSONNEL, EXPERTISE IN MOVING FROM DPI TO LMDH?

Gary Nelson: “The first part was training on how to work with the high-voltage system of the MGU – the hybrid system – so a lot of training, a lot of safety procedures. And every new car takes new equipment – the set-up equipment is different. They don’t even fit in the trailer the same, so everything takes a bit of adjustment whenever you bring in a new platform. Over the years, that has gotten so much better with the companies that provide the equipment that we need. Personnel-wide, we’ve probably increased our group 20 percent with the folks working on the car. When we were a one-car team in DPi, we could pretty much take everything in one hauler to the racetrack. Now, we’re a one-car team going into ’23 and we have two haulers and a trailer to get everything to the racetrack. So, somehow we have a lot more equipment than we had in the past.”

WILL SPECTATORS SEE A BIG DIFFERENCE ON THE TRACK BETWEEN THE GTP CARS AND LMP2 CARS?

Mike O’Gara: “There should be enough of a performance differential that the GTP cars should clearly be quicker. There will be some challenges. The braking systems are quite different between a GTP car and a P2, so I think our car will be a lot better under braking but top speeds may be similar. It will make for some interesting racing, but I fully expect a GTP car to the at the top of the podium.”

WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE FOR YOUR DRIVERS TO LEARN THE HYBRID SYSTEM AND ARE THERE ANY LIMITATIONS?

Mike O’Gara: “Once you get rolling, it’s pretty much like any other race car. It’s starting it and launching it and diagnosing issues are where some of the challenges have been. We’re lucky enough to have drivers who have raced in Formula E, that have raced a Porsche P1 car, so those guys have helped the others who have never driven a hybrid or anything electrified before. It’s a manual that’s pretty thick on not necessarily on driving the car but procedures for starting it or restarting it or if you see a red light what to do. The race car is the race car but it’s all these other control systems that make it unique from what we’ve done before.”

IS THE HYBRID SYSTEM A BIGGER TOOL THAN WHAT YOU’VE HAD IN THE PAST FOR FUEL MILEAGE?

Mike O’Gara: “That’s one of our goals at the Roar to learn more about how to manage our fuel. It’s not a tank of fuel anymore, it’s a virtual fuel tank and the car fuel in addition to the energy you spend. It’s figuring out what’s the best use of deploying the hybrid power with the ICE engine. There is refueling time that has to be factored in, so I think you’ll see from many teams long runs to figure out energy per stint and the best combination. It’s no longer a knob for fuel trims. It’s a few knobs, a couple of switches and many a paddle or two that affect all it. We’re leaning every time that car leaves the pit box.”

HOW DIFFICULT WILL IT BE TO KEEP THE HYBRID UNIT FULLY CHARGED GIVEN THE LACK OF BRAKING AT DAYTONA?

Gary Nelson: “Even though there are not as many turns as a traditional road course, at Daytona the top speed has to be scrubbed off so much going into the Bus Stop and going into Turn 1 and then through the infield that you regenerate a lot more than you would imagine when you look at a road course with a lot of braking zones. Those are shorter braking zones, so we’re on the brakes pretty hard. I didn’t hear that in any of the engineering meetings if that was an issue.”

HOW MANY 24-HOUR RACES HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN AND WHAT’S YOUR SECRET TO MAKING THOSE CRITICAL DECISIONS AT THE END?

Gary Nelson: “My first 24-hour that I was involved in in the pits was 2007 and I’ve been to every one since. I’ve stayed up all night in almost all of them. I have a motorhome that I can sneak off to and get a few hours of sleep, but I only do that if things are going smooth. Hopefully, this year I’ll get a few hours sleep but I’m prepared if not to stay up all night.”

Mike O’Gara: “Most since 2004 with a few Le Mans races in there. The key for me to stay awake and alert is to have a car that’s running at the front and competing for a win. There’s nothing worse in an endurance race than to have an issue at the beginning and run around at the back all day and night.”

About Cadillac

A leading luxury auto brand since 1902, Cadillac is growing globally, driven by an expanding product portfolio that features distinctive design and technology. More information on Cadillac appears at www.cadillac.com.

Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport to Field Two Full-Time Entries for 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Campaign

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STATESVILLE, N.C. (January 4, 2023)- Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport (JAR) announced today that the team will expand to field two full-time cars in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) during the 2023 season. Rookie Parker Retzlaff will sit behind the wheel of the team’s No. 31 FunkAway Chevrolet Camaro SS, while the newly added No. 27 Alsco Chevrolet Camaro SS will be piloted by Jeb Burton.

“Trusting the process and looking forward on this journey has been such a key element to the growth of our team the last two seasons,” stated Jordan Anderson, President of JAR Bommarito Autosport. “From where this all started after a rainout at Daytona that sidelined us for several months, having to change up the entire model and structure of how we envisioned our race team, to where we are today – and all the incredible drivers and partners that have gotten us to this point – is truly a blessing and a dream come true. Expanding to two full time Xfinity Series cars was always a goal of ours internally, and seeing it come to life with Parker, Jeb and so many great people behind the scenes, has us all equally excited.”

Team partner John Bommarito was likewise upbeat about the opportunity that 2023 holds for the team. “Jordan and I are proud to have two hard working drivers like Parker and Jeb behind the wheel of our race cars, and know they’ll represent all our team partners with excellence and integrity both on and off the track. We’ve focused our efforts equally on both the business and competition of our team and are proud to see the results continue to exceed our expectations.”

Retzlaff, 19, a Rhinelander, Wisc. native with support from Funkaway and Ponsse will drive the No. 31 Chevrolet Camaro SS competing for 2023 Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors in his first full-time NXS season.

Making nine NXS starts in 2022, Retzlaff collected one Top-10 and five Top-20 finishes competing with two different teams. Prior to making his NXS debut, Retzlaff would spend three years prior competing in the ARCA Menard’s East Series capturing 11 Top-10 finishes in just 14 starts with a best of 4th coming at Southern National Motorsports Park (N.C.) in 2021.

“I am truly humbled to be given this opportunity to race full-time with JAR Bommarito Autosport,” stated Retzlaff. “Without great partners like Funkaway and Ponsse I would not be in the position today to compete at this level of American motorsport. Jordan and John have assembled a great team for me, and I know with everyone’s hard work in the off-season, we will be in a great position to have a fast car when we unload at Daytona come February.”

Joining the rookie in the JAR Bommarito Autosport stable for 2023 will be veteran driver Jeb Burton driving the No. 27 Chevrolet Camaro SS with support from longtime partners Alsco, State Water Heaters, Rocky Boots, Puryear Tank Lines, Solid Rock Carriers, along with several others.

Burton, 29, the son of 2002 Daytona 500 winner Ward Burton, has been a staple competing in the NXS for the last nine seasons, but 2023 will mark only his third full-time season.

Over the course of 109 NXS starts the Halifax, Va. native has been able to collect one win, 13 Top-Five’s, and 31 Top-10’s. From 2015-2019 while still competing in the NXS, Burton would be given the opportunity to make 33 NASCAR Cup Series (NCS) starts with three different teams with most coming in 2015 (28).

In addition to his NXS and NCS starts, Burton has competed in 57 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) races, securing one win, seven Top-Five and 21 Top-10 finishes.

“I’m pumped for the opportunity to join JAR Bommarito Autosport for the 2023 season,” explained Burton. “I’ve been watching what JAR Bommarito Autosport has been assembling the last few years, and success is within reach. Jordan and I first had this conversation last summer and to see it come to life is something that I feel will be beneficial for us all as we look to build a long-term relationship here. We have so many great partners that have stood behind me for so long and I hope to be able to deliver them a great season this year with all that we have going on. I’m excited to get the season started at Daytona.”

Chevrolet will remain the manufacture of choice for JAR Bommarito Autosport in 2023 fielding Chevrolet Camaro SS’s, with engines supplied by ECR.

“Jordan, John, Chuck Wallis (VP of Bommarito Automotive Group) and the entire JAR Bommarito Autosport team have done a great job of representing Chevrolet on and off the track since starting the Xfinity program in 2021”, stated Shane Martin, Xfinity Series Program Manager for Chevrolet. “Parker and Jeb will both be in great equipment, I am looking forward to seeing what they both can do this year behind the wheel of a Chevrolet.”

Parker and Jeb will both make their first JAR Bommarito Autosport start at Daytona International Speedway (Fla.) on Saturday, February 18 during the Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. 300. All the action will be broadcast LIVE on FS1, the Fox Sports App, MRN, and Sirius XM NASCAR Ch. 90 at 5:00 PM ET.

For more information on JAR Bommarito Autosport, visit JordanAndersonRacing.com, and follow the team along all season on the JAR Bommarito Autosport social channels; Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Stay updated with the happenings of both JAR Bommarito Autosport drivers by liking/following each of their social media channels below.

Parker Retzlaff; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
Jeb Burton; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

About Jordan Anderson Racing Bommarito Autosport

Jordan Anderson Racing (JAR) Bommarito Autosport is a NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS) and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series (NCTS) team, owned by owner/driver Jordan Anderson and Bommarito Automotive Group President, John Bommarito.

Established in 2018, JAR Bommarito Autosport has competed full-time in the NCTS four times earning a team best back-to-back runner-up finishes in the 2020 & 2021 NextEra 250 season opener at Daytona International Speedway with driver Jordan Anderson.

Expanding to the NXS in 2021 the No. 31 Chevrolet Camaro SS would drive to five Top-Five and six Top-10 finishes with various drivers behind the wheel in its first season. 2022 would see the No. 31 Chevrolet Camaro SS claim the team’s first stage win and a runner-up finish while claiming four Top-10’s with driver Myatt Snider.

In 2023, JAR Bommarito Autosport will continue to grow fielding two full-time entries in the NXS; No. 31 for Parker Retzlaff, and No. 27 for Jeb Burton. JAR Bommarito Autosport will also compete in the NCTS with the No. 3 Chevrolet Silverado various drivers in select races.

Ricca Autosport Announces Multi-Car TC America Endeavor with Ricca and McNulty

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Official Release
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MILFORD, Conn. (January 4, 2023) – The start of the 2023 TC America Powered by Skip Barber Racing School championship may be three months away, but Ricca Autosport has preparations in full swing as the team announces a three-car effort in the premier touring car sports car racing championship. Team veteran Jeff Ricca will race the brand-new #78 LIQUI MOLY GenRacer Hyundai Elantra N, and Sally McNulty will join the team racing the #780 Borla Exhaust LIQUI MOLY Hyundai Veloster N, with the third entry to be announced at a later date.

As the official SRO America TC homologate builder, Ricca Autosport will enter its 13th year of racing, with a resume covering Formula D, NASA club racing, and the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge series. Based in Milford, Connecticut, the team has been a long-time partner with GenRacer Team, and the two brands have built a winning resume, filled with podium finishes and race victories across North America.

Jeff Ricca got his start in the TC America series (then Pirelli World Challenge) in 2013 and has since been a staple in the paddock as his motorsport career has continued to progress. The 2022 TC America championship produced an average of 30 cars for each event, featuring some of the world’s best manufacturers and brightest up-and-coming stars of sports car racing. Last season, Ricca finished an impressive third place in the championship standings against what was a highly competitive field. He’ll return to the team in 2023, racing the #78 LIQUI MOLY GenRacer Hyundai Elantra N.

“2023 is going to be an amazing year,” said Ricca. “Again working with Hyundai USA and releasing the new Elantra N Cup cars for the TC class is very exciting. I am sure the results will reflect the hard work the team has put in through the off-season. I am also thrilled to have Sally as a teammate this year in the TC class. I think her hard work off and on the track will definitely give the team a good boost for the season.”

Last season, McNulty formed a partnership with series sponsor Skip Barber Racing School, joining forces to end her 2022 endeavors on a high note. She piloted the brand-new No. 780 Borla Exhaust Skip Barber 11th Generation Civic Si and closed out the season with four top-five finishes. This season, she will race with Ricca Autosport in the #780 Borla Exhaust LIQUI MOLY Hyundai Veloster N by GenRacer, advancing to the TC class, the second of three run groups in the series. Now racing in the TC class, she makes another step forward to achieving her goal of becoming the first woman to win the overall championship. A longtime competitor and admirer of Ricca Autosport, McNulty will be eager to get the exciting new season started and continue her quest.

“I have been following the hard work and success this team has had over the years in TC America, and I am very excited to hit the racetrack with the Ricca Autosport together with Hyundai in 2023,” said McNulty. “Jeff Ricca has 11 years of touring car racing experience and I think with his help, we can make some real waves in TC class!”

The team will produce a third entry before the start of the season, which will be announced at a later date.

One of the leading professional touring car race series in North America, TC America Powered by Skip Barber offers competitors the opportunity to race factory-built or supported turnkey race cars in a pair of 40-minute sprint races every event weekend. Each event hosts various manufacturers from all over the world, providing an exciting and competitive race series for up-and-coming drivers in the sports car racing arena. The 2023 calendar will host seven doubleheader race weekends across North America, from the rolling hills of Sonoma Raceway in California in March to Indiana’s iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway in October. For more information, visit tcamerica.us.

About Ricca Autosport

Ricca Autosport is composed of young, fresh perspectives and seasoned, experienced veterans across the US, including Petit Le Mans and 24hrs of Nurburgring. Members of Ricca Autosport have won races and Championships domestically and around the World. The TEAM’s sole mission is to provide drivers with an unforgettable and competitive experience; and to provide an incubator for personal and partner growth.

About Genracer

Genracer.com is the largest Hyundai Genesis Coupe and Velsoter N parts supplier in the world. We bring professional skills, knowledge and race enginerring to develop a winning team. With plans of expansion in the Veloster N and Elantra N platform TC Class, our programs are leaders in the industry.

About LIQUI MOLY

Enjoy the benefits of a full product range offering everything you could need: with more than 4,000 articles, we offer the perfect product for any vehicle in the world. Whether for cars, bikes, commercial vehicles, construction equipment, boats or garden appliances. For private use at home, in professional workshop applications or for efficient industrial use: our problem-solvers lengthen the service life of motors and aggregates and ensure their excellent performance and proper function for many years to come. These are the key factors to boosting your driving enjoyment and reducing your costs for the long term.

Hennessey Celebrates 10th Venom F5 Hypercar Delivery

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Official Release
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  • Double-digit deliveries cap a successful year of Venom F5 development, manufacturing, and evaluations
  • Latest client takes delivery of a metallic blue F5 Coupe at Hennessey Special Vehicles in Sealy, Texas
  • Hennessey plans on delivering more than 20 Venom F5 hypercars in 2023

SEALY, Texas, Jan. 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hennessey, the Texas-based hypercar manufacturer, and high-performance vehicle creator, delivered a milestone 10th Venom F5 to its owner over the holidays. The striking metallic blue F5 Coupe, with brilliant white stripes, was delivered at Hennessey Special Vehicles in Sealy, where a specialized team in a dedicated building manufactures the hypercar.

Signed off for full production in March 2022 by company Founder and CEO John Hennessey, plus Chief Engineer John Heinricy, the Hennessey Special Vehicles team has now assembled more than a dozen F5 Coupes and Roadsters. As of last week, 10 production units had been hand-delivered to customers – a collective output of more than 18,000 bhp!

John Hennessey, company Founder and CEO: “Manufacturing a hypercar requires a team effort on a global scale, and I could not be prouder of our accomplishments. Each bespoke commission is visually stunning, an imaginative collection of colors and materials befitting a vehicle of this caliber. Our clientele is thrilled by the Venom F5 and simply astonished by its performance.”

The rate of manufacturing is increasing monthly, despite continuing supply chain challenges, and Hennessey expects to deliver more than 20 Venom F5 hypercars in 2023. The company, which has grown to more than 90 full-time team members when Hennessey Performance and Tuner School is included, plans to expand its manufacturing capacity further this year.

While all 24 Venom F5 Coupe commissions sold out in 2021, Hennessey is still offering the Venom F5 Roadster – an open-roof variant of the 300+ mph hypercar. Build slots may be reserved by calling the Hennessey Special Vehicles sales team at +1 979.885.1300 or visiting HennesseySpecialVehicles.com.

About Hennessey
Based in Sealy, Texas, the Hennessey business comprises Hennessey Special Vehicles, Hennessey Performance (HPE), Tuner School, and the Lonestar Motorsports Park. The company has re-engineered more than 12,000 vehicles for performance enthusiasts worldwide to deliver unparalleled driving thrills. Alongside modifying a diverse range of sports, and muscle cars since 1991, the company also applies its high-performance expertise to trucks and SUVs – and boasts its own hypercars – the Venom GT and the Venom F5.

Every Hennessey product is dyno-proven, fully track-tested, street-legal, and warrantied. Customers can choose from road-ready performance-enhanced cars by Hennessey from a wide variety of brands, including Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, and Jeep, all benefitting from a host of high-performance upgrades.

With its own test track, engineering curriculum for aspiring tuners, more than 90 team members, and capacity to work on 40-50 vehicles at a time, Hennessey Performance is one of the world’s leading specialist vehicle engineering companies. The twin-turbocharged, 6.6-liter V8 Venom F5 hypercar sold out in 2021, with customer deliveries taking place from 2021-2023. A Roadster variant joined the F5 Coupe in 2022, also boasting 1,817 bhp and capable of speeds in excess of 300 mph. The company is delivering like never before on its mission of ‘making fast cars faster.’
HennesseySpecialVehicles.com | HennesseyPerformance.com

About John Hennessey
As the company founder and CEO, John Hennessey lives and breathes fast, fun cars. John developed a passion for performance while competing at world-renowned motorsport events, including Pikes Peak, the Silver State Classic, and the Bonneville Salt Flats (where he set a class world record).

What started in 1991, modifying imports out of his garage, soon morphed into building 1,000-horsepower twin-turbo Dodge Vipers that gained international recognition in car magazines such as Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Top Gear, and Road and Track.

Known as an American icon of speed, John has achieved his vision to be the top automotive tuner and builder in the U.S. With a global sales footprint covering the U.S., Europe, Asia, South America, and the Middle East, he continues to find ways to engineer greater performance from some of the world’s most iconic vehicles alongside the creation of the company’s world-class hypercar – the Hennessey Venom F5.

Social media
YouTube: HennesseyPerformanceF5 | Instagram: HennesseyPerformance | Facebook: @hennesseype | Twitter: @HennesseyPerf

Boyd and Young’s Set New Goals Together for 2023

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Official Release
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Mooresville, N.C. (January 4, 2023) Young’s Motorsports and veteran driver Spencer Boyd are set to tackle the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for a fifth season together. The partnership comes with a renewed sense of competition after Boyd suffered a dislocated shoulder in the second race of 2022 that put a damper on the season.

“I want last season back,” remarked the 27-year-old Boyd. “We had great chemistry on the 12 team and showed speed early on. To make a long story short, we didn’t end up with the year we wanted and we are set out to put it all in the rear-view mirror with this season.”

The St. Louis native made his NASCAR debut in 2016 and has started an organization high 82 races with Young’s Motorsports with both the No. 12 and No. 12 numbers.

As Craftsman returns as the title sponsor for the Series, so do many of Boyd’s sponsors. While other sponsorship announcements will be forthcoming, it is confirmed that Freedom Warranty will be the primary sponsor for the season opener during the Daytona 500 weekend. The extended vehicle warranty company was on board for Boyd’s win at Talladega in 2019.

“We wanted to start this new season off with one of our good luck charms on the hood,” Boyd said of Freedom Warranty. “Freedom (Warranty) has stuck with me through the highs and the lows and I have great admiration for their work. They are rolling out a new program for dealerships with an exciting announcement coming soon.”

Tyler Young of Young’s Motorsports commented on the 2023 season ahead, “We are quite optimistic about this coming year. There were plenty of discussions in the off-season on what we have to do to get better on the track. One thing we knew is that Spencer (Boyd) was going to be a part of it. He’s now driven more races than I have for our family team and earned our first win, so he’s naturally going to be part of our resolution to be more competitive.”

Spencer Boyd will drive the No. 12 Chevrolet Silverado in the 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Ryan “Pickle” London returning as the crew chief.

Fans should expect announcements in the coming weeks detailing the sponsors for the season.

Why the Future of NASCAR Could be Electric

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SM
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Photo by Tom Radetzki on Unsplash

Slowly but surely, it seems as though the combustion engine is being phased out in favor of electric vehicles (EVs). Most major manufacturers have now either released an electric vehicle or have something in the works. It’s estimated that 60% of global passenger vehicle sales will be electric, and EVs will make up 30% of the vehicles on the road.

The shift towards EVs comes as concerns grow over our greenhouse gas emissions and the use of fossil fuels. Although EVs have their issues, they’re currently a lot greener and less damaging to the environment. Naturally, motor sports will also change and adapt to new technology. While a lot of traditional racing fans may not be keen on moving away from combustion engines, NASCAR bosses will be keen to move with the times to appeal to new audiences.

NASCAR has previously looked into hybridization, but there are also concrete plans to introduce an electric racing series. While this hasn’t been officially confirmed, it seems that there’s a lot of evidence to suggest the electric prototype will be unveiled at the 2023 Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum. You can bet on racing, as well as F1, and other sports at Betway.

What Electrification Means for NASCAR

Since electric vehicles are the wave of the future in terms of mobility solutions, NASCAR says it is now looking into the possibility of a racing series devoted to them. Even Steve O’Donnell, the chief operating officer of NASCAR, made a hint about this development in a March 2022 press conference. O’Donnell stated that NASCAR is preparing an “exhibition series” featuring electric vehicles during this press conference.

NASCAR also stated that it is now negotiating a detailed strategy with OEM partners and racing teams. Ford, Toyota, and Chevrolet are the front-runners among these OEMs. With this exhibition race, Dodge might also make a comeback in NASCAR with its future electric muscle car. It’s possible that NASCAR will explore electrification or hybridization, including new series alongside traditional motor racing.

Other sports, such as Formula One, have developed electric vehicle racing alongside their traditional racing, and this will likely be a strategy that NASCAR looks to explore. If all of the ideas are developed past the prototype level, NASCAR will enter an interesting and contentious period. Developing electric vehicles that are on par with or better than the present cars will require a lot of careful thinking.

Opposition to Electrification

The move towards electrification won’t be without its issues. There are a lot of NASCAR fans who are strongly opposed to these changes, with the classic pushrod V8 and internal combustion considered an integral part of the sport. In recent years, the rules have been changed to make way for the next generation of engines, something that has angered a lot of fans and left them feeling like their voices aren’t heard.

The idea of full electrification or even hybridization of their sport could see a lot of fans turning their attention elsewhere and leaving the sport entirely. It’s important that those in charge of NASCAR strike the proper balance. Luckily, it does seem that, for now, the sport will be looking to incorporate electric vehicles alongside the classic V8 engines.

One of the major things that fans will miss about electric vehicles is the noise and the roar of the race track. This has become a trademark symbol of motor racing, and although other motorsports have incorporated EVs, the races are missing the incredible noise. Motorsports such as NASCAR will need to strike a balance between appeasing current fans and appealing to new ones.

Upping your Motorsports Gambling Enjoyment

By
SM Staff
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The infamous down season of racing is in full swing and there isn’t much to do besides twiddling our thumbs, or is there? As the famous saying goes, “The best time to plant a tree was two weeks ago, the second-best time is today”. Planning for the upcoming Formula 1 and NASCAR seasons can be a fantastic and financially beneficial use of time during the down season. Continue reading to learn about methods to make motorsports gambling more enjoyable.

Try Out Foreign Casinos

Foreign casinos are a great way to add a new level of livelihood to your online motorsport bets. The online environment of a foreign casino could be vastly different from what’s offered in your country and allows for a refreshing experience. The main benefits of using a foreign casino include the following:

  • Additional options to bet on local racing events within that country
  • Increased participation if that style of racing is not as popular in your country
  • New types of races to bet on
  • Quick payouts when using cryptocurrencies

Another benefit of using foreign online casinos is their ability to circumvent self-exclusion restrictions. An example of a popular self-exclusion program many British people use is Gamstop. When using a foreign casino, a bettor can bypass the gambling restriction because Gamstop has no jurisdiction over casinos outside the United Kingdom. There are plenty of services to help find casinos that are not on Gamstop, and you can find a comprehensive list at The News Minute.

Prepare an Extensive Plan

Financial success and preparation go hand-in-hand, and while it is possible gambling can generate wealth without preparation, an extensive plan can go a long way. Elements of a solid betting plan include contingency, risk management, and an exit strategy.

The good news is that motorsports offer plenty of ways to allocate your time to research. This research includes racetrack history, team composition, engine strength, driver performance history, rules, and weather. Knowing what to expect on race day is essential in creating a good plan that allows for contingencies and low risk.

Planning also requires knowledge of all the betting options provided by your casino/sportsbook. A good plan completely utilizes your betting strategies alongside your casino of choice.

Lastly, knowing when you should exit is essential. If you have had poor-performing race days and lost a lot of money, you should reassess your overall strategies and recreate a new one from scratch. Inversely if you end up gaining more than you planned, do not throw away your winnings at risky bets. Instead, pocket what you won and continue with your plan.

Joining Fantasy Motorsports

Fantasy motorsports is a refreshing alternative for those seeking more motorsport gambling for a few reasons. The first reason is that motorsport fantasy events happen daily, meaning down seasons are non-existent. The second reason is that fantasy motorsport is not truly gambling, skill and knowledge are incredibly useful and chance is barely prevalent. Lastly, it is much more user involved as it allows you to create your teams and setups and pit them against other players.

Companies and organizations have created plenty of fantasy motorsport apps and it is something down and play even today. At the time of writing, GridRival had a recent launch back in October and is a potential option for those that want to get involved.

Remember to gamble and play responsibly and let us all hope to have another fantastic race series in 2023!

Landon Huffman ready for Daytona Practice

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Official Release
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Landon Huffman during the Jack Ingram Memorial at North Carolina's Hickory Motor Speedway on June 11, 2022. (Adam Fenwick/NASCAR)

Reigning Hickory Motor Speedway champion to test with Mullins Racing at Daytona

Landon Huffman is making the leap from the Birthplace of NASCAR Stars to the World Center of Racing later this month.

Huffman, 26, from Claremont, North Carolina, will turn his first laps around the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway on January 13-14 when the ARCA Menards Series returns to the famed superspeedway for its annual pre-race practice.

He heads to Daytona with Mullins Racing months removed from his first NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series Division I track championship at Hickory Motor Speedway.

“I never thought I was ever going to get to run laps at Daytona, so this is pretty incredible,” Huffman said. “It’s every short track racer’s dream to run laps at Daytona. My dad had a quote, I use it in my podcast as part of my intro, after his first race at Daytona, he said, ‘it doesn’t matter if you’re racing a go-kart, slot car, or foot race, you won at Daytona.’”

Huffman picked up his first championship at Hickory Motor Speedway in September. His father, Robert Huffman, won two championships at Hickory in the late 1980s before going on to win five championships in the NASCAR Goody’s Dash Series.

“I’ve wanted a championship at Hickory since I began my driving career back in 2010,” Huffman said. “Dad won two of them and went on to do bigger things. Putting my name on the wall out front beside his name is an accomplishment I’m most proud of. I grew up racing at Hickory, watched my dad run many races there, and he watched my grandpa race there many times as well. It’s a family tradition and I’m proud to continue moving it forward.”

The husband-and-wife co-owners of Mullins Racing, Willie and Dinah Mullins, came to Hickory Motor Speedway last summer to watch Huffman race. They became fast friends and soon the two parties reached an agreement for Huffman to pilot one of the Mullins Racing cars at Daytona in ARCA’s pre-race practice.

“I have been internet friends with Dinah and Willie,” Huffman recalled. “They came down and watched me race at Hickory, came down to the pits, and we really hit it off. I really respect how they race, we can relate on a lot of levels, based on the money we spend versus our competitors, they’re a family team and do a lot of it themselves, a lot of mutual respect. They’ve done a great job building their program. Anytime I can work with people like that, it’s a good opportunity.”

Huffman hopes to compete in a handful of ARCA Menards Series races for Mullins Racing at some point this season.

“You never know what may play out,” Huffman stated. “There’s opportunity out there for us to nail down a race or two but it comes down to funding. If we stay on the track we’re on, there may be some opportunities that come along, but we’ll just take it one step at a time right now.”

In addition to being a race car driver, Huffman also has a significant social media presence. That includes a popular YouTube channel where he chronicles his life as a weekly racer.

“I haven’t done a podcast for a couple years, and just started one called Huffman Racing Radio and it’s been going really well,” Huffman explained. “My YouTube channel helps get sponsors and I correlate all my content related efforts together. This past season was my first full year vlogging and I grew from over 2,000 subscribers to over 15,000 now and over 1.5 million views in 2022. We’re leading the charge on the short track front when it comes to YouTube content. I’ve sold a lot of merchandise and brought in some new partners.”

Huffman is one of five drivers who will drive for Mullins Racing during the ARCA pre-race practice at Daytona in January, and Willie Mullins, who finished second at Daytona in 2018, is excited about to have Huffman as part of the team.

In addition to Huffman, Willie Mullins, Kayla Surles and Brayton Laster will join Mullins Racing for the Daytona pre-race practice, with a fifth driver yet to be confirmed.

“We are extremely excited to bring Landon into the fold,” Mullins said. “The group of drivers we have put together are not only great on track, but great off track too. We embrace big personalities, and this group does not lack in that department. Each driver we have has created their own incredible online presence.”

The ARCA Menards Series pre-race practice at Daytona International Speedway is scheduled for January 13-14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST each day.

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